TheBiologySpace.BioBlog

The over enrichment of such nutrients as nitrogen and phosphorus promote an excessive algal growth which consumes oxygen faster than the surface can replenish it. This causes a low drop in the amount of oxygen present and the lower levels in the water sometimes cannot support life forms. The big concern is the affect of the fishing that happens in the Gulf. If such etrophication continues, could it potentially kill of many of the fish that not only allow people to eat, but allow men to have jobs?

I believe that the excess of the nutrients comes from farm lands along the rivers that feed into the Gulf. These farming areas use nutrients as well as fertilizer to enrich their soil and create lushous crops. Simple occurances of nature such as rain can wash these nutrients from the soil and into the estuaries which causes the abundance of nutrients in the ocean. However, Im sure the farmers do not mean to disrupt the balance and to put the fish in danger. So what is the solution? Cut back on farming techniques which could potentially hurt the crops in the area, or cut back the fishing? Who knows?

All I have to ask is what’s for dinner mom:
corn or red snapper?

I agree with the above comment and it just goes to show that we need to support the growth of organically grown fruit and vegetables. Eventually if enough people buy only organic than farmers will realzie they need to keep up with the times and will stop using fertilizers harmful to the environment. Then it should stop this killing trend as long a we alo don’t overfish the ocean too. Believe me I know I sound very earth conscious, but I am just as guilty of buying the vegetable that is prettiest, but not neccesarily organic. So just make sure its organic corn and there are plenty of red snapper in the sea!

I think the biological implications the destruction of the Louisiana coastline could mean is a much more grave problem then in the economical sense. Our ecosystems include the lives of plants, animals, and all the micro-organisms that live in it. Who says it is our right to disrupt such precious natural resources? Who says the monetary value of the land for farmers outweighs the significance the coast line is to the Gulf area? The truth is that our economy is constantly fluctuating and the natural world is permanent. There has to be some other way for the farmers of the area to reduce their pollution-causing practices and give their children’s children an opportunity to see our coasts alive.

This is another prime example of us humans letting our needs come before the needs of our ecosystem. Well, seeing as algae depletes oxygen from the water, all the fishies die. If all the fish die, then what do bigger fish and humans eat? What then? Our oceans will be empty if we keep doing this. Either we find a less invasive way of farming and supporting ourselves, or we can limit population growth. Isn’t the planet close to the carrying capacity anyway?

This may sound mean, but the over population of this planet will only breed disease and discontent. That’s my humble opinion.

Back on topic. There are a bunch of problems for the people that live on the coast. Everytime I’ve been to the coast, it stinks. I don’t know if that’s the algae or just pollution, but it smells rotten. Property value decreases, people move away… I saw many dead fish, too, and those things stank pretty badly. There were stray animals that could have been carrying rabies feasting on those dead fish. It’s a breeding ground for bacteria and disease.